Cupra
Overall March sales in France were down 15 percent, tying it with the Netherlands for the worst performance during the month among countries in Europe.
Volkswagen Group’s plan to bring the upstart Cupra brand to the U.S. and get young people excited about driving again is coming into focus.
While other VW Group brands and automakers scramble to navigate tariffs and manufacturing footprints, Cupra is still years away from launching U.S. sales.
Cupra still plans to enter the U.S. by 2030, CEO Wayne Griffiths said, potentially in partnership with Penske Automotive Group.
EU tariffs on Tavascan SUVs imported into Europe from China will cost VW Group's Seat/Cupra business millions of euros this year, forcing the Spanish subsidiary to lay off 1,500 workers, Seat CEO Wayne Griffiths said.
Spanish sporty brand Cupra is primed to rely on Penske Automotive Group to enter the U.S. market.
Production of the midsize SUV from the VW Group subsidiary is expected to peak in 2025.
Cupra named Bernhard Bauer, managing director of Cupra Germany, as its U.S. managing director as it discusses a partnership with Penske.
Without Tavascan sales, Cupra would miss EU-mandated CO2 reduction targets and so face heavy fines, with a possible impact on employment at its base in Spain, the brand's CEO, Wayne Griffiths, said.
VW Group’s newest mainstream brand has found success with sportier models such as the Formentor.
